Tuesday, April 30, 2013

In March, Todd Norian, cofounder of Ashaya Yoga, came to Bermuda for a special three day yoga workshop, which led students of all levels through an exploration of "Yoga for the Five Elements". Bermuda's own Kerri Howland of Island Shakti Yoga has been taught by Todd over the years and was the brains behind bringing him down to the Island for so many local yogis to learn from his wisdom and practice. I had originally planned on attending all the sessions throughout the weekend, but on the Friday morning before the first evening session, I woke with severe hip pain and couldn't even walk! So sadly, I couldn't participate in most of the workshop, though I was lucky one of the sessions was a therapeutics session for the hips, pelvis and lower back so I benefitted greatly from the one session I had originally considered skipping. These images were taken during that healing session so although not the images I had dreamed of taking, with rows and rows of perfectly aligned feet or hand details, they tell a story of how yoga can help pretty much anyone, in any state of disrepair!

The workshops were held at the Fairmont Southampton and Kerri Howland was thrilled with the turn out - it was a real case of "if you build it, they will come" and everyone took home so much from their sessions. It is not often that our tiny island gets the opportunity to learn from such practiced teachers and much of the yoga community took advantage of this special treat - wish I had been able to participate in the other classes but suffice to say I heard they were mind blowing.

Todd teaches yoga with the heartfelt intention to awaken others to their inherent potential for unlimited joy, vitality, and fulfillment. His style is one of precise biomechanical alignment infused with heart. He excels at making deep philosophical teachings accessible and relatable. With warmth and humour, Todd creates a space of sublime transformation in which students can step into the power of their own heart and spirit.

I loved that his theme for the weekend was the five elements and how when they are balanced, one feels great. When we are out of balance, we can feel heavy (too much earth), emotional (too much water), irritable )too much fire), scattered and fearful (too much air), and aloof or spacey (too much sky). I find it fascinating that at times I feel all of those things but am inspired by the fact that a good yoga practice brings about a flowing integration of all five elements that can leave one feeling strong and on purpose, passionate, open hearted, peaceful and ready to engage with life in positive and uplifting ways. I was sad not to have experienced all the balancing I had hoped for that weekend, but cannot wait for him to come back and hopefully then I will get the chance to practice his powerful rainbow of grounding, flowing and expansive postures!

Much of the three hour session was helping individuals who had injuries and using their issues as an example before we partnered up to help each other work through similar issues. I luckily partnered with a yoga teacher the entire time so I definitely gained even more out of the workshop that expected.

Julia has suffered from severe back pain. She is in my regular weekly classes with Kerri and we could see she was in a lot of pain just standing there.

Todd helped her work through her body to realign each area using props and a lot of guidance.

It was one of the most inspirational moments of the day when the look of agony slipped away from Julia's face and we could actually see relief in her expression as she announced that she suddenly felt pain free. The whole room erupted with elated laughter and applause at this remarkable achievement.

Todd - thank you for an incredibly healing workshop - although it was not what I was expecting that weekend, it is amazing how life throws at you what you need in that moment and so I am grateful to have had my injury and to have experience the healing teachings that your therapeutics class shared.

Kerri - thank you for believing in both yourself and Bermuda's yoga community enough to take the chance at bringing someone so special to the Island - we have all benefitted and it is so wonderful to have met someone who has had such a transformative effect on you and your teaching which in turn keeps us all healthy, inspired and coming back for more! xxxx

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Brittany and John hand intended to have a quick "tie the knot" ceremony before their beautiful baby boy arrived, but their last minute wedding ended up being so much more than they had imagined. Although they planned the entire event in only two weeks, friends and family unexpectedly arrived on the island from abroad and all the details came together to make the day full of beauty, surprises and love.

Brittany and John knew they wanted to be married somewhere on the South Shore of Bermuda, with its postcard backdrop of azure ocean, blue skies and waves and wind to boot. They have a lot of history at Coral Beach and it is such a special place, but the didn't settle on it as the wedding venue until only ten days before the big day. The pair exchanged vows on the Longtail Terrace before an intimate group of family and friends with the sun warming the cooler spring air.

The theme of the wedding was shells and the sea so the colours and details echoed this palette. I cannot believe this wedding was planning in such a short time when I see these delightful hand made ceremony programmes, with the darling pink sand and coral hearts on each one and delicately hand tied with an elegant ribbon.

John looked picture perfect in his fun bow tie, vibrant orchid and dashing tux. How cute are his delicious purple tux buttons?

Brittany had that classic pregnancy glow with gorgeous skin and hair and smiling so widely her face was alight the whole day. Vernon from Strands did her make up and hair and her baby bump was sweetly crowned with sparkles which I adored on her dreamy dress.

Brittany's oldest friend from primary school flew in for 48 hours for the wedding. His parents very sweetly gave a gift of releasing white doves at the end of the service. It was completely unplanned but brought the ceremony to a romantic and dramatic close. There were five birds so Brittany's four closest friends joined in with the releasing of the wedding white birds.

As the guests made their way up to the Club House for cocktails, Brittany and John stole a barefoot walk on the beach together.

John's wedding band is a three part band made up of magnetised platinum and gold made by Steven Kretchmer designs. Brittany's was a vintage 1890s platinum pave flexible shrank rung with bezel set mine cut diamond.

The fabulous flowers were designed by Gimi.

I thought this punch bowl was so elegant - never seen anything like it. And it was so decoratively set up on the table.

And even more that the before, I adored the after - now that is a successful rum swizzle!

They had sweet images from yesteryear on their guestbook table.

Cake Boutique Celebration made the cake with the shell and ocean theme and Walker Christopher made the silver seahorse decorations on the top.

Brittany and John had two songs for their first dance since they wanted to have his favourite - Buddy Holly's "True Love Ways" - and her favourite - Elvis' "Can't Help Falling In Love With You".

Brittany and John - thank you so much for asking me to be a part of your amazing day. It came together beautifully and I am so thrilled for you starting not only your new life together as a married couple, but also being so blessed as to have sweet Baby Jack now with you to join in that bliss. Congratulations to you all - much love and happiness xxxx

Sacha Blackburne Photography

Welcome to my blog where I share recent works, snippets about my life and images of my home and family.

I am a lifestyle photographer based in Bermuda.

I long to capture the essence of the people in my photographs - I want to show who they really are, and what they really feel - not just what they looked like that day.

I try to shoot creative and iconic wedding imagery as well as intimate, honest portraits.

My commercial work has been described as dreamy with an edge, and fine art images as emotive.

To see a full range of my portrait or wedding work, or for more information, please go to www.sachablackburne.com. Websites for workshops, fine art, commercial and stock images coming soon.

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I will be offering a couple of portrait photography workshops this year. Click on the photo for blog posts, see my Portrait website under the Investment section, or drop me a note for details, dates and rates.